Thanksgiving Cookinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/thanksgiving-cooking
en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 23:27:39 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 23:27:39 -0500The latest news on Thanksgiving Cooking from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/hot-to-cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2016-11You've probably been cooking your turkey all wrong — here's how to do it in 90 minutes flathttp://www.businessinsider.com/hot-to-cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2016-11
Tue, 22 Nov 2016 16:49:00 -0500Justin Gmoser
<p>There are innumerable ways to prepare your turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you want something simple, delicious, and most importantly <em>fast</em>, this dry rub turkey recipe will get your bird on the table in 90 minutes. </p>
<p>The full recipe can be found <a href="http://www.thecrepesofwrath.com/2014/11/05/easiest-thanksgiving-turkey/"><span>here</span></a>. </p>
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<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hot-to-cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cool-kitchen-gadgets-easy-clean-up-2016-109 kitchen gadgets that will cut down the time you spend cooking and cleaning disheshttp://www.businessinsider.com/cool-kitchen-gadgets-easy-clean-up-2016-10
Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:02:00 -0500Kelsey Mulvey
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<p><span><em><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5800ff0852dd731b008b4fb9-500/intro_6.-ototo,-amazon-9.26.jpg" alt="INTRO_6. Ototo, Amazon 9.26" data-mce-source="Amazon" /></em></span></p>
<p><span>I like to cook. I can make a tasty vegetable stir-fry and corn salad. But I really hate cleaning up afterward &mdash; and I know I'm not alone.</span></p>
<p><span>Whether you have a dishwasher or have to scrub all of your plates and pans by hand, keeping your kitchen spick and span takes work. After dinner,&nbsp;I'd rather&nbsp;bask in my&nbsp;food coma and watch some TV.</span></p>
<p><span>Luckily, there are some simple things anyone&nbsp;can pick up to&nbsp;streamline their&nbsp;cooking process and make cleaning up a relative breeze. If you have a problem these cooking accessories&nbsp;can't solve, let us know.</span></p>
<p><span><em>This article was originally published on 10/14/2016.&nbsp;</em><br /></span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-products-under-20-dollars-2016-9" >26 things under $20 we can't live without</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-kitchen-tools-gadgets-under-25-dollars-2016-6" >The 25 best kitchen gadgets you can buy for under $25</a></strong></p>
<h3>A splatter guard</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5800fe2052dd7322008b4f55-400-300/a-splatter-guard.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Cranking up your stove top's heat can speed up your meal's cook time, but it also leaves unwanted sauce and grease splatters on your countertops, walls, and backsplash. Rest&nbsp;this guard on top of your pan and it'll keep splatters and condensation at bay.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LVZ3WAQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_101416_practical-kitchen-products-cleaning-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01LVZ3WAQ&amp;linkId=c17cd01d11f99e68d142a54f4487d74d" target="_blank">Frywall 10 Ultimate Splatter Protector, $21.95</a></strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>A clip-on strainer</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5800fe2c52dd7322008b4f56-400-300/a-clip-on-strainer.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>The Simple Strainer is the perfect alternative to&nbsp;balancing a colander full of pasta in one hand and a hot pot in the other, plus it's easy to clean.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SIMPLE-STRAINER-Clip-Dishwasher-Vegetables/dp/B01J2NBXQK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?srs=15228249011&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1476454058&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=biip_101416_practical-kitchen-products-cleaning-20&amp;linkId=13a130885b265fe1e58fd4b84a8eac11" target="_blank">Simple Strainer, $13.38</a></strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>A 3-in-1 cutting board</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5800fe3a52dd7340018b4ed7-400-300/a-3-in-1-cutting-board.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Instead of using several plates to rest your freshly chopped vegetables on, invest in this handy cutting board. It comes with two inserts&nbsp;&mdash; a colander and tray &mdash; so&nbsp;you have one convenient place to cut&nbsp;and store your produce and meats.<br /><br />When each ingredient is ready to be added to your recipe, you can detach the insert, drop its contents in your pan, and repeat. Depending on how many ingredients you're slicing and dicing, you could end up saving a lot of time and space in your dishwasher.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006LMVK1Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_101416_practical-kitchen-products-cleaning-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B006LMVK1Y&amp;linkId=8050b8d6940f2cbf1d177cd4534f13cd" target="_blank">Chef'n PrepStation 3-in-1 Cutting Board, $15.99</a></strong></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cool-kitchen-gadgets-easy-clean-up-2016-10#/#a-smart-kitchen-scale-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-holiday-party-hacks-save-you-prep-time-2016-114 tricks to making Thanksgiving much easierhttp://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-holiday-party-hacks-save-you-prep-time-2016-11
Sun, 20 Nov 2016 19:13:00 -0500Justin Gmoser and Sydney Kramer
<p>Hosting a dinner party doesn't have to be so stressful. Here are four tips that will save you time and frustration while you prepare your Thanksgiving meal for friends and family.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-holiday-party-hacks-save-you-prep-time-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/psychology-trick-curb-appetite-lose-weight-2016-8A Harvard psychologist reveals the secret to curbing your appetite this Thanksgivinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/psychology-trick-curb-appetite-lose-weight-2016-8
Sun, 20 Nov 2016 10:00:00 -0500Kevin Reilly
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<p> We set goals hoping to achieve something that will make us happy. Our perception of those goals can dictate whether we successfully achieve them. <a href="http://www.susandavid.com/#ea-book">Susan David</a> explains the difference between "have-to" goals and "want-to" goals. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.susandavid.com/#ea-book">Susan David</a>, is a psychologist at Harvard Medical School, co-founder of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, and CEO of Evidence Based Psychology. Her new book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592409490/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1592409490&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=bivideo-20&amp;linkId=45adb955b51b84ee8923e8916da679ed">Emotional Agility</a>, was named by Harvard Business Review as an "Idea That Shaped Management."</p>
<p><strong>Follow Tech Insider:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techinsider">On Facebook</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/psychology-trick-curb-appetite-lose-weight-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-thanksgiving-help-line-adds-texting-2016-11Butterball is making a big change to its Thanksgiving turkey hotline this yearhttp://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-thanksgiving-help-line-adds-texting-2016-11
Sun, 20 Nov 2016 09:09:00 -0500Kate Taylor
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52926b47eab8eac96f3a1918-707/thanksgiving-roast-turkey.jpg" alt="thanksgiving roast turkey" data-mce-source="Wikimedia Commons" data-link="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RoastTurkey.jpg" /></p><p>For the first time ever, struggling Thanksgiving hosts can contact Butterball's iconic help line via text with questions about preparing turkey.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Butterball, which sells roughly 1 billion pounds of the bird a year, has been helping people cook turkey since 1981 when it began hosting a help line you could call. This is the first year you'll be able to contact the help line by sending a text message to&nbsp;<span>844-877-3456.</span> <span>The text line, which opened on Thursday, will be open </span><span>24/7 until<span>&nbsp;November 24. </span></span></p>
<p>"We're just evolving based on consumers' needs," said Sue Smith, Butterball's talk line codirector who has been manning the phones for 17 years. "It's the natural progression for the talk line."</p>
<p>The company employs roughly&nbsp;50 experts to answer more than<span> 100,000 calls every November and December.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>As the volume of calls has increased, Smith and codirector Nicole Johnson say that Butterball has worked to open up more channels of communication.</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5813827f362ca41c008b5979-960/293764_10151133197499611_1273522418_n.jpg" alt="Butterball University" data-mce-source="Butterball/Facebook" /></p>
<p>While this is the first year Butterball is communicating via&nbsp;text, the company has started using Facebook, Twitter, and&nbsp;YouTube videos to help&nbsp;panicked&nbsp;cooks. The company has Spanish-speaking turkey experts on the line. As the company noticed an influx of&nbsp;men calling in with turkey questions, it hired more male talk line experts.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ultimately, Smith and Johnson say that even as&nbsp;technology has evolved, most queries from callers are the same year after year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Some forget&nbsp;to thaw their&nbsp;turkeys. Others don't know how big of a bird&nbsp;to buy, or simply have no idea of how to roast the bird. A few call every year for reassurance.&nbsp;<span>Smith</span>&nbsp;said&nbsp;one woman has called every Thanksgiving for the last 20 years for a one-on-one pep talk.&nbsp;</p>
<p>No matter the problem, Johnson, Smith, and 48 other Butterball employees will all be working for at least eight hours on&nbsp;Thanksgiving Day, manning the phones&nbsp;to answer your questions, whether they come via call or text.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-debuts-2016-holiday-red-cups-2016-11" >Starbucks is bringing back its red holiday cups — but there's a twist</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-thanksgiving-help-line-adds-texting-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-domestic-made-goods-imported-iphone-sneakers-tv-solar-panels-2016-11">Here's how much an iPhone 7, a TV, and sneakers would cost if they were made in the US</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-you-should-never-deep-fry-frozen-turkey-2016-11Here's why you should never deep-fry a frozen turkeyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-you-should-never-deep-fry-frozen-turkey-2016-11
Sat, 19 Nov 2016 07:00:00 -0500Kevin Reilly
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<p> </p>
<p>A deep-fried turkey is one of the most delicious ways to serve your Thanksgiving bird. However every year people make the mistake of frying a frozen bird, causing untold fire damage to their homes.</p>
<p>Special thanks to <a href="https://www.statefarm.com/">State Farm Insurance</a> and <a href="http://www.touchpress.com/">Touch Press</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Follow Tech Insider:</strong> <a href="http://facebook.com/techinsider">On Facebook</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-you-should-never-deep-fry-frozen-turkey-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2016Everything you need to make an amazing Thanksgiving dinner at homehttp://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2016
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 16:21:00 -0500Kelsey Mulvey and Ellen Hoffman
<p><span><em>The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank">Insider Picks</a> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.</em></span></p>
<p>An amazing Thanksgiving dinner isn&rsquo;t born; it&rsquo;s built. There are turkeys to be basted and stuffed and then roasted, and there are apple and pecan and pumpkin pies to be made. This is to say nothing of the absurd number of side dishes you&rsquo;re also planning to prepare. If you have never hosted the holiday at your home before, rest assured it&rsquo;s actually a lot of work &mdash; gratifying work, hopefully, but work nonetheless. To that end, planning ahead of time is the key to success.</p>
<p><span>To help, we assembled a list of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;node=7762829011&amp;pf_rd_i=284507&amp;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_p=2263785882&amp;pf_rd_r=15TWNR206NMY8C548S3F&amp;pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-leftnav&amp;pf_rd_t=101&amp;tag=biip_111315_thanksgiving-essentials-20&amp;linkId=4GUBB5DLDVTHMYSN" target="_blank">essential cooking and baking tools</a>&nbsp;you&rsquo;ll need for the occasion. We included a few seasonal decorations to give your table settings a festive look, too. The recipes, though, those are on you.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2016#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-help-line-adds-texting-2016-10For the first time ever, you'll be able to text Butterball's turkey help linehttp://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-help-line-adds-texting-2016-10
Mon, 31 Oct 2016 14:42:00 -0400Kate Taylor
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52926b47eab8eac96f3a1918-707/thanksgiving-roast-turkey.jpg" alt="thanksgiving roast turkey" data-mce-source="Wikimedia Commons" data-link="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RoastTurkey.jpg" /></p><p>For the first time ever, struggling Thanksgiving hosts can contact Butterball's iconic help line via text with questions about preparing turkey.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Butterball, which sells roughly 1 billion pounds of the bird a year, has been helping people cook turkey since 1981 when it began hosting a help line you could call. This is the first year you'll be able to contact the help line by sending a text message to&nbsp;<span>844-877-3456.</span> <span>The text line will be open </span><span>24/7 from <span>November 17 through&nbsp;November 24. </span></span></p>
<p>"We're just evolving based on consumers' needs," said Sue Smith, Butterball's talk line codirector who has been manning the phones for 17 years. "It's the natural progression for the talk line."</p>
<p>The company employs roughly&nbsp;50 experts to answer more than<span> 100,000 calls every November and December.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>As the volume of calls has increased, Smith and codirector Nicole Johnson say that Butterball has worked to open up more channels of communication.</p>
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5813827f362ca41c008b5979-960/293764_10151133197499611_1273522418_n.jpg" alt="Butterball University" data-mce-source="Butterball/Facebook" /></p>
<p>While this is the first year Butterball is communicating via&nbsp;text, the company has started using Facebook, Twitter, and&nbsp;YouTube videos to help&nbsp;panicked&nbsp;cooks. The company has Spanish-speaking turkey experts on the line. As the company noticed an influx of&nbsp;men calling in with turkey questions, it hired more male talk line experts.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ultimately, Smith and Johnson say that even as&nbsp;technology has evolved, most queries from callers are the same year after year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Some forget&nbsp;to thaw their&nbsp;turkeys. Others don't know how big of a bird&nbsp;to buy, or simply have no idea of how to roast the bird. A few call every year for reassurance.&nbsp;<span>Smith</span>&nbsp;said&nbsp;one woman has called every Thanksgiving for the last 20 years for a one-on-one pep talk.&nbsp;</p>
<p>No matter the problem, Johnson, Smith, and 48 other Butterball employees will all be working for at least eight hours on&nbsp;Thanksgiving Day, manning the phones&nbsp;to answer your questions, whether they come via call or text.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/butterball-help-line-adds-texting-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/style-lilliana-vasquez-what-is-business-casual-finance-women-men-2016-11">A style expert explains what 'business casual' actually means</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/winter-smoothie-ingredients-2015-10Make the most of your Thanksgiving leftovers with these delicious smoothieshttp://www.businessinsider.com/winter-smoothie-ingredients-2015-10
Fri, 27 Nov 2015 10:00:00 -0500Sarah Jacobs and April Walloga
<p>See story <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/winter-smoothie-ingredients-2015-10">here</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/winter-smoothie-ingredients-2015-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/butchers-guide-choose-right-meat-grilling-steak-hamburgers-2016-11">A butcher’s guide to choosing the perfect steak</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2015-11You've been cooking your turkey all wrong — here's how to do it in 90 minutes flathttp://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2015-11
Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:20:04 -0500Justin Gmoser
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<p>There are innumerable ways to prepare your turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you want something simple, delicious, and most importantly <em>fast</em>, this dry rub turkey recipe will get your bird on the table in 90 minutes. </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The full recipe can be found </span><a href="http://www.thecrepesofwrath.com/2014/11/05/easiest-thanksgiving-turkey/">here</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p>
<p><em>Produced by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/justin-gmoser">Justin Gmoser</a>. Additional camera by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/alex-kuzoian">Alex Kuzoian</a>. </em></p>
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<p><em> </em></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-90-minutes-thanksgiving-dinner-2015-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2015Everything you need to make an amazing Thanksgiving dinner at homehttp://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2015
Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:00:00 -0500Ellen Hoffman
<p>An amazing Thanksgiving dinner isn&rsquo;t born; it&rsquo;s built. There are turkeys to be basted and stuffed and then roasted, and there are apple and pecan and pumpkin pies to be made. This is to say nothing of the absurd number of side dishes you&rsquo;re also planning to prepare. If you have never hosted the holiday at your home before, rest assured it&rsquo;s actually a lot of work &mdash; gratifying work, hopefully, but work nonetheless. To that end, planning ahead of time is the key to success.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">To help, we assembled a list of essential cooking and baking tools you&rsquo;ll need for the occasion. We included a few seasonal decorations to give your table settings a festive look, too. The recipes, though, those are on you.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/collection/essential-thanksgiving-dinner-tools-decorations-11-2015#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-party-hacks-to-save-you-prep-time-2014-114 Tricks To Making Thanksgiving Much Easierhttp://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-party-hacks-to-save-you-prep-time-2014-11
Tue, 25 Nov 2014 17:34:00 -0500Justin Gmoser and Sydney Kramer
<p>Hosting a dinner party doesn't have to be so stressful. Here are four tips that will save you time and frustration while you prepare your Thanksgiving meal for friends and family.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Produced by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/justin-gmoser">Justin Gmoser</a>. Additional camera by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/alex-kuzoian">Alex Kuzoian</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/thanksgiving-party-hacks-to-save-you-prep-time-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11You've Been Cooking Your Turkey All Wrong — Here's How To Make A Delicious Bird In 90 Minuteshttp://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11
Sat, 22 Nov 2014 13:04:00 -0500Justin Gmoser and Sydney Kramer
<p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11">Click here to see original story.</a></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11Here's How To Cook The Perfect Turkey In 90 Minutes Flathttp://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11
Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:04:00 -0500Justin Gmoser and Sydney Kramer
<p>There are innumerable ways to prepare your turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. But if you want something simple, delicious, and most importantly&nbsp;<em>fast</em>, this dry rub turkey recipe will get your bird on the table in 90 minutes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Business Insider's own <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/sydney-kramer">Sydney Kramer</a>, who runs the food blog <a href="http://www.thecrepesofwrath.com/">The Crepes of Wrath</a>, walks us through the easy steps to cooking the perfect turkey.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The full recipe can be found <a href="http://www.thecrepesofwrath.com/2014/11/05/easiest-thanksgiving-turkey/">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Produced by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/justin-gmoser">Justin Gmoser</a>. Additional camera by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/alex-kuzoian">Alex Kuzoian</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>
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<p><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cook-perfect-turkey-in-90-minutes-thanksgiving-2014-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-5-common-thanksgiving-cooking-mistakes-2013-11How To Fix 5 Common Thanksgiving Cooking Mistakeshttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-5-common-thanksgiving-cooking-mistakes-2013-11
Wed, 27 Nov 2013 13:15:00 -0500Tanya Steel
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/528a4af06da811ae64f098ba-1023-767/thanksgiving-dinner-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="Thanksgiving Dinner" /></p><p>It seems that few holidays inspire equal measures of excitement and dread like Thanksgiving, when many a cook feels like he or she is starring in "Iron Chef," dealing with time constraints, less-than-perfect equipment and teams, and rarely used ingredients; and it all ends with a final judging from a panel of so-called experts, ie: Aunt Marge.</p>
<p>From the years of fielding Thanksgiving freakouts on our Facebook and Twitter channels, and doing countless television segments of how to get the turkey on the table whilst maintaining a semi-Zen attitude, I know which are the most common Thanksgiving mistakes, and how to fix them:</p>
<h3>Your Turkey is Still Frozen</h3>
<p>You've dutifully preheated the oven and taken the turkey from the fridge to stuff and truss it but it's a frozen bowling ball. Don't panic. Just keep it wrapped in its plastic, and fill a basin or large bin with cool water (40 degrees or below), enough to cover the bird. Change the water every 30 minutes; a 12-pound bird will take about 4 hours to defrost this way. Don't have four hours? Use this method for two hours, then carefully carve up the thawing bird, place in plastic bags, and cover with water. It will speed up the process dramatically.</p>
<h3>The Stuffing is Drier than Matzoh</h3>
<p>Most pro cooks do not stuff the bird, as that can result in a dried-up turkey and undercooked&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=stuffing" target="_self">stuffing</a>&nbsp;(the latter needs to reach 165 degrees to be safe to consume). If you take out the stuffing from the oven and it's super dry, add 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth to it, drizzle with a little melted butter or olive oil, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 20 more minutes. <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/howtocook/primers/stuffing-dressing?mbid=synd_businessinsider">The Complete Guide to Stuffing &amp; Dressing &gt;</a></p>
<h3>My Gravy is Too Thin</h3>
<p>While some make lumpy&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=gravy" target="_self">gravy</a>&nbsp;(just strain the lumps out before serving) and some make gravy as thick as cake batter (simply add broth and whisk to thin), many complain that their gravy is watery and not rich tasting. The answer? Add a thickener like a cornstarch-water slurry or make more&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=roux" target="_self">roux</a>, and whisk it in slowly; boil it down to thicken slightly more just before serving. <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/howtocook/primers/gravy?mbid=synd_businessinsider">Mastering Gravy &gt;</a></p>
<h3>I Forgot To Buy a Pie Shell</h3>
<p>For those who aren't confident bakers or lack the time, premade pie shells are a boon, that is, if you've remembered to buy one. No pie shell? No problem. Crush cookies, add a&nbsp;little melted butter, and form a pie crust in the pan. Or make a fruit filling and create a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search=crumble&amp;x=0&amp;y=0" target="_self">crumble</a>&nbsp;topping (flour, sugar, and butter together), or cook the pumpkin pie filling in the pan and serve it topped with whipped cream, Greek yogurt or ice cream. <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/howtocook/primers/pieprimer?mbid=synd_businessinsider">Making Perfect Pies &gt;</a></p>
<h3>I Didn't Make Enough Food</h3>
<p>Besides getting all the hot food on the table at the same time, not having enough is the other most common nightmare for a host. If you have a slew of uninvited guests or a pack of hungry teenagers demolish everything in sight, your freezer and pantry will be your savior. Have frozen veggies or edamame? Add then to some instant rice, couscous, or quinoa and season with soy sauce, fish sauce, teriyaki sauce, olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Got some extra bread? Cut into logs or use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, butter each or drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and then pop in the oven for 10 minutes. Got half a dozen eggs? Whisk them with 1 1/2 cups of milk, pour into a pie pan, sprinkle with some cheese and bake for 30 minutes in a 425 oven for a fast quiche.</p>
<p>What are some mistakes you've made when you've hosted a big holiday celebration? For more advice, check out our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-troubleshooting" target="_self">Thanksgiving Troubleshooting guide</a><strong>.</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-5-common-thanksgiving-cooking-mistakes-2013-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/smart-thanksgiving-food-choices-2013-118 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Thanksgiving Dinner Healthierhttp://www.businessinsider.com/smart-thanksgiving-food-choices-2013-11
Tue, 26 Nov 2013 10:47:00 -0500Madeline Stone
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5294c21f6da811de6122f103-800-/thanksgiving-turkey-dinner.jpg" border="0" alt="thanksgiving turkey dinner" width="800" /></p><p>Thanksgiving can be a real diet buster. According to an <a href="http://projects.nytimes.com/qa/events/thanksgiving-help-line/question/8134" target="_blank">analysis by Tara Parker-Pope of The New York Times</a> last year, a typical Thanksgiving meal can add up to a whopping 2,500 calories, and that's not even counting wine or pre-dinner snacks.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Before you dig into your long-awaited turkey feast, try these simple substitutions to make it a bit healthier this year.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Start out with lighter appetizers.</strong></h2>
<p>A lot of binge eating can happen even before you sit down for dinner. Instead of chips or crackers, set out raw veggies and hummus for your guests to snack on while they wait for the main dishes to be ready.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Pick white turkey meat over dark, and skip the skin altogether.</strong></h2>
<p>Both types of meat are a great source of protein, but white turkey meat has significantly fewer calories and grams of saturated fat. Turkey skin is crunchy and delicious, but unfortunately it's also packed with fat. Cooking your turkey with the skin intact will help preserve its moisture, but it's a good idea to take it off before you feast.</p>
<h2><strong>Use fat-free chicken broth for gravy and basting.&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Thick gravy can take your turkey dinner to a new level of deliciousness, but it has a ton of fat and can lead to high cholesterol. Substitute fat-free chicken broth for fat drippings and your gravy will be a much healthier addition to your meal.</p>
<h2><strong>Make fresh cranberry sauce instead of that jelly from the can.&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Though it's definitely a holiday classic, canned cranberry sauce is filled with high fructose corn syrup and has no nutritional value &mdash; it's a bit like eating a candy bar. Homemade cranberry sauce has a much more complex flavor and texture, and it uses real cane sugar instead of that artificial stuff. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/perfect-cranberry-sauce-recipe/index.html">Food Network has a simple and delicious recipe</a>&nbsp;for this natural alternative.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Don't skimp on veggies.&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Eat plenty of vegetables before you get full on turkey and sweets. A good guideline: half of your plate should be vegetables, while one-fourth can be turkey and the last fourth can be any side dish you choose.</p>
<h2><strong>Make your stuffing a bit lighter.</strong></h2>
<p>Stuffing is a Thanksgiving must, but it can be packed with high-fat ingredients. Be sure to use whole wheat when your recipe calls for bread, and try using olive oil instead of butter.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Hold the marshmallows, and try glazed sweet potatoes instead of candied yams.&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber and carbs, plus they have a decent amount of protein. Shape has a <a href="http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/7-healthy-alternatives-your-favorite-thanksgiving-dishes">good recipe for sweet potatoes</a> that substitutes natural honey and cinnamon for of all of the sugar and marshmallows you would find in your typical candied yam.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>You don't have to skip dessert, but there are a few substitutions you could make. </strong></h2>
<p>Calorie-wise, pumpkin pie is your best bet for dessert. Use <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/grandma-s-pumpkin-pie#recipe-ingredients">natural sweeteners like honey or agave</a> when you're baking, and try not to eat the crust since that part has the most calories and fat.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>For a light and elegant treat without a crust, try a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/health/to-end-the-feast-something-sweet-but-light-recipes-for-health.html">pumpkin caramel mousse</a> in a glass. This amazing flourless dessert really brings the calorie count down a notch.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-11" >12 Cooking Hacks For A Hassle-Free Thanksgiving</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/smart-thanksgiving-food-choices-2013-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-1112 Cooking Hacks For A Hassle-Free Thanksgivinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-11
Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:46:59 -0500Madeline Stone and Paige Cooperstein
<p><span><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/528a4af06da811ae64f098ba-1023-767/thanksgiving-dinner-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="Thanksgiving Dinner" /></span>Thanksgiving cooking comes with its fair share of stressors.</p>
<p>From forgetting to buy the wine to burning the garage down when trying to deep-fry the turkey, lots of things could go wrong on the big day.</p>
<p>Have no fear &mdash; we&rsquo;ve rounded up some tips and tricks to make this Thanksgiving run more smoothly.</p><h3>Estimate 30 minutes of defrost time per pound of turkey. Let it thaw overnight in your garage to save precious fridge space for prepared side dishes.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/528a4fb0ecad04fa67f098bc-400-300/estimate-30-minutes-of-defrost-time-per-pound-of-turkey-let-it-thaw-overnight-in-your-garage-to-save-precious-fridge-space-for-prepared-side-dishes.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Usually you would roast your turkey on a roasting rack, but there's a quick fix if you don't have one of those. Take a bunch of aluminum foil, roll it into a 3-foot snake, and then coil it into a swirl. Roast your turkey on top of the coil for a deliciously browned bird.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/528bbd156bb3f77b19444842-400-300/usually-you-would-roast-your-turkey-on-a-roasting-rack-but-theres-a-quick-fix-if-you-dont-have-one-of-those-take-a-bunch-of-aluminum-foil-roll-it-into-a-3-foot-snake-and-then-coil-it-into-a-swirl-roast-your-turkey-on-top-of-the-coil-for-a-deliciously-browned-bird.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Cook white meat and dark meat separately so they're each done to perfection.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/528bbd1f6bb3f7e51b44483f-400-300/cook-white-meat-and-dark-meat-separately-so-theyre-each-done-to-perfection.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-11#the-particular-kind-of-sodium-in-soy-sauce-enhances-gravys-meaty-flavor-add-a-teaspoon-of-dark-soy-sauce-to-make-one-gravy-boats-worth-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-1112 Cooking Hacks For A Hassle-Free Thanksgivinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-11
Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:36:00 -0500Madeline Stone and Paige Cooperstein
<p><span><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/528a4af06da811ae64f098ba-1023-767/thanksgiving-dinner-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="Thanksgiving Dinner" /></span>Thanksgiving cooking comes with its fair share of stressors.</p>
<p>From forgetting to buy the wine to burning the garage down when trying to deep-fry the turkey, lots of things could go wrong on the big day.</p>
<p>Have no fear &mdash; we&rsquo;ve rounded up some tips and tricks to make this Thanksgiving run more smoothly.</p><h3>Estimate 30 minutes of defrost time per pound of turkey. Let it thaw overnight in your garage to save precious fridge space for prepared side dishes.</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/528a4fb0ecad04fa67f098bc-400-300/estimate-30-minutes-of-defrost-time-per-pound-of-turkey-let-it-thaw-overnight-in-your-garage-to-save-precious-fridge-space-for-prepared-side-dishes.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Usually you would roast your turkey on a roasting rack, but there's a quick fix if you don't have one of those. Take a bunch of aluminum foil, roll it into a 3-foot snake, and then coil it into a swirl. Roast your turkey on top of the coil for a deliciously browned bird.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/528bbd156bb3f77b19444842-400-300/usually-you-would-roast-your-turkey-on-a-roasting-rack-but-theres-a-quick-fix-if-you-dont-have-one-of-those-take-a-bunch-of-aluminum-foil-roll-it-into-a-3-foot-snake-and-then-coil-it-into-a-swirl-roast-your-turkey-on-top-of-the-coil-for-a-deliciously-browned-bird.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>Cook white meat and dark meat separately so they're each done to perfection.</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/528bbd1f6bb3f7e51b44483f-400-300/cook-white-meat-and-dark-meat-separately-so-theyre-each-done-to-perfection.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-easy-thanksgiving-cooking-2013-11#the-particular-kind-of-sodium-in-soy-sauce-enhances-gravys-meaty-flavor-add-a-teaspoon-of-dark-soy-sauce-to-make-one-gravy-boats-worth-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-deep-fry-your-thanksgiving-turkey-2013-11How To Deep Fry A Thanksgiving Turkey In Your Backyardhttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-deep-fry-your-thanksgiving-turkey-2013-11
Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:12:00 -0500Paul Longton
<p><em>Inspired by conversations on the&nbsp;<a href="http://food52.com/hotline">Food52 Hotline</a>, we're sharing tips and tricks that make navigating all of our kitchens easier and more fun.</em></p>
<p><em>Today: Deep-fried-turkey master&nbsp;<a href="http://food52.com/users/197015-paul-longton">Paul Longton</a>&nbsp;(and our shop editor &amp; stylist&nbsp;<a href="http://food52.com/users/63437-bryce-l">Bryce</a>'s dad!) gives us the tips -- and the step-by-step process -- for deep frying your Thanksgiving turkey.</em></p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s deep fry a turkey. And as long as we&rsquo;re at it, let&rsquo;s deep fry a half dozen or more.</p>
<p>Come Thanksgiving, our annual celebration is to set up the deep fryer and invite our friends and their birds over to deep fry turkeys, one after another.</p>
<p>The last few years we&rsquo;ve deep fried eight turkeys. We could do more in the same pot of oil, but we run out of daylight and enthusiasm. This way we get friends over for a couple of hours, and then send &lsquo;em home.</p>
<p>There are different ways to cook turkeys other than conventionally in an oven.&nbsp;<strong>This discussion will be about immersing the turkey in 350&deg; F degree oil for 3 1/2 minutes per pound.</strong>&nbsp;There are infrared cooking pots and electrical oil fryers designed for indoors. This is not that. My story is for the outdoor adventure.</p>
<p><em><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/527d4ac86bb3f75d32e9b7de-800-/10564430716_bef7ab6330_c.jpg" border="0" alt="Food52 turkey pot" width="800" /></em></p>
<p>In addition to the turkey, you&rsquo;ll need a pot for the turkey, a propane-fired burner, and the stand the burner sits in. I&rsquo;ve got a 30-quart &ldquo;Bijou Classic." There are plenty of online sources for turkey pots and burners. I don&rsquo;t have history with other pots or burners but this one has been chugging along for 15 years and probably 100 turkeys, a couple of lamb roasts, handful of Twinkies and other miscellanea that has gotten thrown into the pot over time. The Twinkies, by the way, were pretty damn good.</p>
<p>Remember this is for outdoors. Not in a garage or under a carport, not under the dry pine tree, not close to the house. This turkey fry business has splattering oil, is messy and is enjoyable from beginning to end.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/527d4b1d6bb3f79034e9b7dd-707-530/food52-deep-fry-outside.jpg" border="0" alt="Food52 deep fry outside" width="800" /></p>
<p>My neighbors set theirs up one year atop of their glass-topped outdoor table. The oil splattered on the glass, the glass shattered, the 4-1/2 gallons of oil and turkey ended up on the ground amidst the shattered glass. Another friend, not clear on the concept, put her still-frozen turkey in the pot of hot oil on top of her stove inside her house. It was your basic turkey bomb. If you want real entertainment go to Youtube and enter in &ldquo;Deep Frying T&hellip;.,&rdquo; you&rsquo;ll get about that far and you&rsquo;ll have Deep Frying Turkey Explosions as an option. Lots of good pointers on what not to do.</p>
<p>Find a spot away from things that&rsquo;ll catch fire. Cover the ground in tarps, old carpets, cardboard or whatever else may absorb the oil that comes splattering out. There&rsquo;s a significant 5&rsquo; radius of splatter and you should have a 8&rsquo; radius covered to protect concrete from acquiring permanent oil.</p>
<p><strong>Setting Up Your Fry Station</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/527d4d176bb3f7cf36e9b808-1200-924/food52%20turkey.jpg" border="0" alt="Food52 turkey station" width="800" /></strong>Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Pay no attention to the pictures -- wear long pants, long sleeves, shoes and use a long oven mitt.</p>
<p>In addition to the turkey pot and the burner you&rsquo;ll need a 5-gallon propane tank and a long-stemmed thermometer. If you&rsquo;re going to deep fry a bunch of turkeys you&rsquo;d better have 2 or 3 propane tanks on hand. Set the propane tank as far away from the burner as the connections will allow.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/527d4e0669bedde620659918-800-535/10564414005_873b6af68c_c.jpg" border="0" alt="Food52 turkey pot" width="800" /></p>
<p>The 30-quart Bijou Classic is good for turkeys up to 14 pounds. The 32-quart pot is good for turkeys up to 24 pounds. (Not sure how two additional quarts allows for 10 more pounds of turkey, but I&rsquo;ll take Bijou&rsquo;s word for it.) The first year, I placed a 14-pound turkey in the pot and filled with water until the water was 2&rdquo; above the turkey. I pulled the turkey out and marked the level of the water on the outside of the pot with a magic marker. That&rsquo;s the amount of oil I put in. Although I&rsquo;ve read that oil heated to 350&deg;F expands 10%, I still fill to the original line.</p>
<p>I&rsquo;ve only ever used peanut oil. I read that other oils will do, but I don&rsquo;t know. I buy peanut oil in the 35-pound containers for about $45 at Costco. Thirty-five pounds of oil equals 4.63 gallons of oil. To get to my magic marker on the pot I use 4 1/4 gallons of oil. It takes 30 minutes or so, depending on outdoor temperature, to bring the oil to 375&deg; F. Run the oil hotter than 350 because when the cool bird is dropped in, the temp will drop 50&deg;.</p>
<p><strong>Getting the bird ready</strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/527d4e59eab8ea2075737f4b-800-535/10564431466_6a62533210_c.jpg" border="0" alt="turkey spices" width="800" /></strong></p>
<p>I buy the Trader Joe&rsquo;s kosher bird. It&rsquo;s brined and never frozen, but Trader Joe&rsquo;s had no birds at this time of year. It was difficult to find fresh turkeys out of T-Day season. We went to Shelton&rsquo;s Turkeys in Pomona (100 miles away) to fetch our 6 turkeys for our Food52-Boil-a-Bird-in-Oil day. For each turkey I made a brine with a gallon of vegetable broth, a gallon of ice water, a cup of sea salt, and one tablespoon each of sage, rosemary, thyme and black pepper. After removing the giblets and neck, any plastic or metal parts holding the legs together or a pop-out thermometer, the turkey was sealed in an oven bag with the brine and kept it on ice overnight. Brined birds cook a little faster.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Next day the brine was drained, the turkey patted dry inside and out. Getting the turkey dry is critical. Imagine drops of water in a pan of bacon frying. The turkey was rolled in a plastic bag of flour and pepper and placed on the spindle awaiting its turn in the oil bath. Take twine and tie the legs and wings to the body.<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/527d4e9669bedd0e26659903-800-535/10564431266_9a6fdb0cb8_c.jpg" border="0" alt="turkey prep" width="800" /></p>
<p><span>The turkey is brought to the pot and s-l-o-w-l-y lowered into the bubbling oil. No matter how slowly the turkeys are lowered there is always oil spills. Each of the Food52 turkeys weighed an average of 13 1/2 pounds. 13 1/2 pounds x 3.5 minutes per pound = 47 minutes. Time enough to visit, have a sip of beer and adjust the temperature on the pot. While that bird is cooking the next bird is getting readied.</span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/527d4f4d6bb3f7863be9b7f1-1200-924/turkey-72.jpg" border="0" alt="turkey" width="800" /></span></p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re deep frying turkey for the first time, satisfy yourself that the internal temp of the bird is 165&deg; in the breast and 180&deg; in the fat part of the thigh.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll discover the skin is to die for, the meat moist, succulent and does not taste the least bit oily. There is a 5% increase in calories over oven baked&hellip;, but really? This is Thanksgiving. If you&rsquo;re counting calories it&rsquo;s about boasting of totals.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/527d4faf69beddb22865990a-800-535/10564415145_764a0f6fc1_c.jpg" border="0" alt="finished turkey" width="800" /></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-deep-fry-your-thanksgiving-turkey-2013-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-to-save-on-thanksgiving-dinner-2012-11Americans Make Thanksgiving Way More Expensive Than It Should Behttp://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-to-save-on-thanksgiving-dinner-2012-11
Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:15:12 -0500Amanda Geronikos
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/50acf0ddecad04917e00001a-1024-768/thanksgiving-dinner.jpeg?maxX=400" border="0" alt="Thanksgiving Dinner" width="400" /></p><p>Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, overeat, and spend time with family &ndash; but it isn&rsquo;t cheap.</p>
<p>After jumping 13 percent from 2010 to 2011, this year the price to provide a feast for ten will rise by only $.28 from last year to $49.48, according to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/American+Farm+Bureau+Federation" target="_self" class="inform_link">American Farm Bureau Federation</a>.</p>
<p>Luckily, there are simple ways to keep Turkey Day from taking a bite out of your family fun.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here are some money-saving tips for <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Thanksgiving" target="_self" class="inform_link">Thanksgiving</a>&hellip;</p>
<h4>1. Make a list</h4>
<p>It&rsquo;s easy to overspend when shopping for a much anticipated holiday dinner. Make a list of what you&rsquo;ll need and exactly how much, and be sure to stick to it when you&rsquo;re in the store.</p>
<h4><strong>2. Don&rsquo;t forget store promotions and coupons&nbsp;</strong></h4>
<p>Keep an eye out for special coupons and promotions around Thanksgiving. Some stores offer a free turkey if you spend a certain amount of money.&nbsp;ShopRite, for example, is offering a free turkey or ham to customers who spend more than $300 between Oct. 14 and Nov. 22.</p>
<div class="promotion-tag">
<p class="promotion-tag-p"><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2012/1101/Are-you-a-smart-shopper-Take-our-quiz" target="_blank">SEE ALSO: Think you're a smart shopper? Take the quiz to find out.&nbsp;</a></p>
</div>
<h4>3. Know price matching policies</h4>
<p>Find out if there are any stores nearby that will match advertised prices from competitors. Do the bulk of your shopping there &ndash; just don&rsquo;t forget to bring your coupons.</p>
<h4><strong>4. Choose one meat&hellip;</strong></h4>
<p>For many, turkey is obligatory on Thanksgiving. What isn&rsquo;t essential, however, is ham, lamb, and prime rib. Save money by simply choosing turkey or another type of meat for your family&rsquo;s feast.</p>
<h4><strong>5. &hellip;and buy the right amount of it</strong></h4>
<p>Buy the right amount of turkey by counting&nbsp;1 pound per person. If you want some leftovers, calculate more than 1 pound per person.&nbsp;Also remember that if you load up on side dishes, you can probably get away with less turkey.</p>
<h4><strong>6. Consider a frozen turkey</strong></h4>
<p>Buy a frozen turkey, and you could save 30 to 40 percent more than you would if you bought a fresh one. Just be sure to follow through with the necessary preparation. You&rsquo;ll need three to five days to let it thaw.</p>
<h4><strong>7. Balance your side dishes and desserts</strong></h4>
<p>Whipping up a bowl of mashed potatoes is cheaper than cooking a seven-layer sweet potato casserole. <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/serve">Serve</a> the essentials (green beans, stuffing, and cranberry sauce), and go light on the more expensive dishes that require several ingredients.</p>
<p>Of course, dessert is just as important as the dinner itself. Luckily, pumpkin pie and cookies are crowd pleasers, and they&rsquo;re inexpensive to bake.</p>
<h4><strong>8. Be smart about beverages</strong></h4>
<p>Visit a wholesale liquor store, and take advantage of sales. Don&rsquo;t overlook boxed wine either &ndash; on average, one box of wine is equivalent to four bottles. Boxed wine often costs $20 or less, which is the equivalent price of $5 per bottle. Serve it in a decanter, and no one will ever know the difference.</p>
<p>For the non-alcoholic drinkers and little ones, serve coffee, tea, or <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Kool-Aid" target="_self" class="inform_link">Kool-Aid</a>, which are all cheaper than serving soda.</p>
<h4><strong>9. Have a BYOD (Bring Your Own Dish) party</strong></h4>
<p>Asking friends and family to bring a dish is a great way to mix things up. Plus, it relieves some of the meal&rsquo;s financial burden on the host.</p>
<p>One way to go about this is asking guests to bring a type of dish, rather than a specific one. For example, you can suggest that some guests bring an appetizer, while others contribute a side dish or a dessert. Of course, there&rsquo;s no shame in asking Aunt Sally to bring her legendary apple strudel either.</p>
<h4><strong>10. Use DIY decorations</strong></h4>
<p>If you&rsquo;re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you&rsquo;ll inevitably want to decorate. But this doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean you&rsquo;ll need to splurge on decor. Instead, make use of everyday items in your home or shop at the dollar store.</p>
<p>Consider using drinking glasses as candle holders (turn the glasses upside down), or dress up a pitcher with a simple cloth napkin.&nbsp;Also, go outside. There are plenty of things to do with all the red and orange leaves and acorns in your backyard.</p>
<p>Metallic pumpkins are another inexpensive decoration. Buy a few pumpkins at your local pumpkin patch, and spray them with metallic paint.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-black-friday-deal-i-ever-got-2012-11" >Black Friday veterans share the best deals they've ever found ></a></strong></p>
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